GB1031162A - Improvements relating to locks - Google Patents

Abstract

1,031,162. Locks. LOWE & FLETCHER Ltd. Aug. 3, 1962 [May 5, 1961], No. 16306/61. Heading E2A. In a suite of locks there is provided at least one master key to operate all the locks of the suite, and servant keys each associated with a different lock of the suite and capable of operating only such lock, the master key having a plurality of formations capable of displacing the locking elements to their unlocked positions, the arrangement being such that the locking elelements of different locks of the suite are displaced by different selections of the formations, each servant key also having formations capable of displacing the locking elements of its associated lock to their unlocked positions, differing locks differing from one another by virtue of different positions of their locking elements when considered in planes lying normal to the directions in which the locking elements move between their locked and unlocked positions. Each lock comprises an outer casing 10 and a bush 13 formed with axially extending bores 14 enclosing spring-loaded slidable locking elements 16. The lock further includes a controlled member 9 mounting a spindle 17 and a flange 18 formed with bores 20 enclosing pins 21 aligned with the locking elements 16. The pins 21 are displaced rearwardly by rotation of a key 25 formed with slots occupying angularly spaced positions corresponding to those occupied by the thrust pins 21. As shown in Fig. 3, the thrust pins 21a-21d may be of differing lengths, in which case they are moved by a servant key formed with an end face having slots 31a-31d of varying depths. Moreover, the suite of locks is master keyed by a master key having slots 33a-33d of stepped form to accommodate varying angular positions of the thrust pins 21.